ASPIRATING NOZZLE AND ACCESSORY SYSTEMS THEREFOR

Abstract: An air aspirating nozzle (10) for propelling a stream of foam or a slurry of solid particulates to a target surface includes a stream shaping member (25) within the nozzle (10) to form a rotating, columnar stream of liquid and air (51) which maintains a high degree of coherence over a considerable throw distance. The nozzle assembly may include a flow control unit (70) for the introduction of a foam concentrate or a fluid suspension of particulate solids into the nozzle (10).

Description: ASPIRATING NOZZLE AND ACCESSORY SYSTEMS THEREFOR Technical Field: This invention relates generally to a gas aspirating nozzle, and to accessory systems for providing a supply of liquids and solids to the nozzle. Specific embodiments of this invention include air aspirating fire fighting nozzles to propel a stream of water, or water mixed with foam forming constituents, to a fire source, and air aspirating nozzles adapted to propel a slurry of water and particulate solids to impact upon a solid surface. Background Art: There have been a wide variety of nozzles that have been developed for use in fighting fires and for the production of foams for other purposes. Certain of such nozzles use only water as the extinguishing agent and have come to be known as fog nozzles. Those nozzles produce a dispersed spray of small water droplets projected from the nozzle tip in a generally conical pattern. An example of one such nozzle is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,653,693. A second type of nozzle commonly use in fire fighting is the air aspirating foam nozzle, and a variety of such nozzles are described in the patent literature. Examples include U.S. Patent No. 5,058,809 to Carroll et al; U.S. Patent No. 5,054,688 to Grindley; and U.S. Patent No. 4,830,790 to Stevenson. The nozzles described in those exemplary patents all have in common means to aspirate air into a solution of foaming agent and water. Turbulence producing means are provided within the nozzle body to mix the air and liquid to produce a foam that is projected from the nozzle end. A nozzle that might be considered a variation on the those of the air aspirating type is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,113,945 to Cable. The Cable patent describes a foam producing nozzle that is supplied air from a pressurized source, rather than aspirating atmospheric air for foam production, as do the nozzles described in the patents cited above. Yet other nozzles are of the multifunction type. Those are illustrated by a patent to Steingass, U.S. 4,944,460 and a second patent to Williams et al, U.S. 5,167,285. The nozzle described in the Steingass patent is adapted to spray either water or a mixture of water and a foam concentrate, is adjustable between a straight stream and fog positions, and can be set to pull atmospheric air into the nozzle and mix it with liquid to form a foam. The Williams et al patent describes a nozzle which has provision for simultaneously discharging a dry powder and a stream of water or water based foam. The dry powder is discharged from a central, axially extending conduit while the liquid stream is discharged in an annular pattern around the stream of discharging powder. The powder, if it mixes at all with the liquid, does so after leaving the nozzle and at some distance therefrom. Despite the variety of specialized nozzles and extinguishing agent delivery systems known in the prior art, the need for a simple high performance nozzle system capable of operating over a range of water pressures, and especially at low water pressures, to project an air aspirated stream of water or water-foam concentrate for considerable distances has not been met. Further, the art lacks a simple yet reliable system for continuously feeding particulate solids into a flowing liquid stream, and thence through a nozzle without the hazard of bridging and clogging. Applicant's nozzle and accessory system meets those needs. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a nozzle and accessory systems having the capability of projecting a tight, coherent, air- aspirated stream of water, water-foam concentrate, or a water- solids slurry for a considerable distance to obtain a very short, narrow footprint, or discharge pattern, at the landing point of the liquid stream. Also provided are means to supply either a liquid, which may be a foam concentrate, or a particulate solid, which may be a fire extinguishing agent or an abrasive material, to the nozzle. The nozzle itself includes a tubular body having a stream shaping member disposed axially therein. That stream shaping member defines an annular zone of reduced cross section at the upstream end of the nozzle thereby creating a zone of reduced pressure into which air is aspirated through ports in the nozzle wall. Water or other liquid entering the nozzle is forced to the inner surface of the nozzle wall forming a layer to which a spin is imparted by vane members that also support the stream shaping member axially within the nozzle. Air passes through the liquid stream and travels out of the nozzle end as the central core of a rotating columnar water stream. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved air aspirating nozzle having the capability of propelling a columnar stream of air-aspirated liquid or liquid and solids onto a fire or other target. It is a further object of this invention to provide an air-aspirating nozzle having means to introduce either a liquid foam concentrate, or a stream of particulate solids, into the nozzle to be mixed therein with a stream of water supplied to the nozzle. Another object of this invention is to deliver a stream of water, supersaturated in nitrogen gas, to a fire site. Yet another object of this invention is to provide improved means and methods for extinguishing fires. Other objects will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description of various modes for carrying out the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the air aspirating nozzle of this invention; Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the stream shaping element of the air aspirating nozzle of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of another embodiment of the stream shaping element; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the nozzle taken along line 4 - 4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the aspirating nozzle of this invention; Figure 6 depicts an upstream vane used with the nozzle of Figure 5; Figure 7 depicts a downstream vane used with the nozzle of Figure 5; Figure 8 is a side view of the nozzle boss element of Figure 5; Figure 9 is a an upstream end view of the boss element of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a downstream end view of the boss element of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the flow of liquid and gas within the nozzle; Figure 12 is an illustration of the column of liquid and gas projected out of the nozzles of this invention; Figure 13 is a view in partial section depicting accessory means for introducing a liquid foam concentrate or a dry powder into the water stream entering the nozzle of Figures 1 and 7; Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a preferred adaptation of the means of Figure 13 for the introduction of a liquid to the nozzle of Figures 1 and 7; Figure 15 is a fragmentary sectional view showing a preferred adaptation of the means of Figure 14 for the introduction of a stream of particulate solids to the nozzle of Figures 1 and 7; and Figure 16 is a sectional view of a liquid reservoir means that may be used to supply the liquid introduction means of Figures 13, 14 and 15. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Various embodiments of the invention will be described and discussed in detail with reference to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals refer to the same component or part illustrated in different figures. Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown generally at 10 a sectional view of the air aspirating nozzle of this invention. The nozzle itself includes a generally tubular body 12, and a head member 14 of smaller internal diameter than body 12. Head member 14 is adapted for connection to a flow control valve or other accessory at its upstream end through threaded connector portion 15, and forms a generally cylindrical passage 17 downstream of connector 15. The wall of passage 17 may taper inwardly so as to be of progressively smaller cross sectional area downstream of connector 15 to shoulder 19. -&. shoulder 19 the diameter of passage 17 increases to form a first zone 20 of enlarged cross sectional area. A second shoulder 21 may be provided a short distance, typically less than the diameter of zone 20, downstream of shoulder 19 to form a second zone 23 of yet larger cross sectional area. Zone 23 is defined by the interior wall of tubular body 12, and extends to the discharge end of the nozzle. The length of the second zone 23 must be greater than its diameter, and preferably is between two and ten times its diameter. A stream shaping means 25 having an end 26, a head member 27, and a body portion 28, is positioned axially within the nozzle. Head member 27 must be a symmetrical body enlarging from forward end 29 to base 30, and preferably is configured as a cone having an apex angle 32 less than 75° and most preferably less than 30°. While a conical configuration is preferred for head member 27, it may also be configured as a hemisphere or parabola or other curve. The forward end 29 of head member 27 is positioned to extend into passage 17 while base 30 is positioned adjacent shoulder 19 or just downstream therefrom. By so positioning base 30 relative to shoulder 19 there is formed an annular fluid channel 34 communicating between passage 17 and first zone 20. The dimensions of base 30 relative to the diameter of passage 17 at shoulder 19 are set such that the area encompassed by channel 34 is substantially smaller than is the cross sectional area of passage 17 at that same point. In a preferred embodiment, the area of channel 34 is less than one-half, and most preferably, less than one-third the cross sectional area of passage 17. The body portion 28 of stream shaping means 25 comprises a cylinder extending axially from base 30 to a point adjacent the end of tubular body 12 and preferably extending beyond the end of body 12 as is shown in the drawing. Diameter of the cylindrical body portion 28 must be no greater than that of base 30, and appropriately is some 60% to 90% that of base 30. A set of forward, or upstream, vanes 36 and a set of rearward vanes 38 extend between and are fixed to the outer surface of body portion 28 and the inner wall of tubular body 12. That arrangement holds stream shaping means 25 in a fixed position within nozzle 10. Each set of vanes 36 and 38 consist of a plurality, preferably three or four, individual vane members disposed at a slight angle 39 to the axis of the nozzle. That vane angle 39 is set so as to give a twist or rotation to the fluid passing through the nozzle, much as does the rifling in an artillery piece. Angle 39 is uniform for all vane members and is preferably set at less than about 10° so as to give one full rotation to a fluid column expelled from the nozzle for every 10 to 50 nozzle diameters. Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown an alternative embodiment of the stream shaper means 25. In this embodiment, body portion 28 comprises a hollow tube having a closure means 56 at the downstream end thereof. Base 30 of head member 27 is mounted upon neck 57 that is adapted to slidingly fit within the end of tubular body 28. A rod 60 is attached to neck 57. The rod extends the length of tubular body 28, and through closure 56. Rod 60 is threaded at its downstream end 61, and threadably mates with closure 56. That allows the effective length of rod 60 between closure 56 and neck 57 to be adjusted by turning nut 62 mounted on the end of rod 60. Because tubular body 28 is fixed to the nozzle body 12 through vanes 36, the effect of turning nut 62 is to move head member 27 axially relative to shoulder 19 (see Figure 1). It has been found that performance of the nozzle, particularly its throw distance, tends to vary with the pressure of liquid fed to the nozzle. Nozzle performance can be optimized by adjustment of base 30 relative to shoulder 19. The embodiment of Figure 2 allows such adjustment. Figure 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the stream shaping means 25. As in Figure 2, head member 27 is provided with neck 57 that slidingly fits within tubular body member 28. Neck 57 is fixed to one end of a spring 64 that acts under compression to allow head member 27 to move backwardly under a pressure force. The other end of spring 64 rests upon stop means 65 which means are fixed within tube 28. As with the embodiment of Figure 2, body member 28 is fixed within the nozzle through vanes 36. In operation, the pressure of liquid flowing through the nozzle pushes against head member 27 and tends to move it in the direction of flow by compression of spring 64. The amount of movement increases as fluid pressure increases thus providing an automatic adjustment to optimize nozzle performance over a broad range of operating pressures. The nozzle embodiment of Figure 1 has been described as utilizing a forward and a rearward set of vanes to impart a twist to the fluids, and to secure stream shaper means 25 within the nozzle. The rearward set of vanes 36 need not be aligned with the forward set of vanes 38. Rather, the two sets of vanes may be rotationally offset as is shown in Figure 4. Further, rather than providing two sets of vanes, a single set of vanes may be used with some sacrifice in performance and structural strength. Likewise, three or even more sets of vanes, rather than just two, may be used if desired. Other embodiments of this invention may employ but a single set of air aspirating ports, rather than two, as is depicted in the Figure 1 embodiment. Another embodiment of the nozzle of this invention is depicted in Figures 5 through 10, and will be described with reference to all of those Figures. As with the Figure 1 nozzle, the nozzle body or barrel 12 is a generally tubular member. It attaches at its upstream end to a boss 151 that is shown in greater detail in Figures 8, 9 and 10. Also common with the nozzle of Figure 1 is a stream shaping means positioned axially in nozzle barrel 12. The stream shaping means includes a tubular body portion 28 that is held in place by a set of upstream vanes 153 and a set of downstream vanes 155. A head member 27 is mounted upon one end of a cylindrical neck 57, and is sized to slidingly fit into the upstream end of tubular body 28. The other neck end rests upon spring follower block 157 that is arranged to press upon spring 64. Boss 151 is in the form of a stepped cylinder having three sections, each section of a different exterior diameter. An axially aligned cylindrical bore 160, of uniform diameter, extends through the boss. The front, or upstream, section 162 of boss 151 is the smaller diameter part of the boss. The free end of section 162 is arranged for attachment to a hose or monitor by means of a speed nut, or a quick-disconnect coupler, or through simple threads (not shown), while the other section end steps to middle section 164 forming a face 165. Downstream section 166 is of smaller diameter than is the middle section and is sized to fit within the upstream end of the nozzle barrel 12. Figures 6 and 7 show the configuration of upstream vanes 153 and downstream vanes 155 respectively. Both sets of vanes are formed of sheet stock, suitably stainless steel or aluminum, the thickness of each vane being much less than its length. All of the vanes extend radially, relative to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle, between the tubular body portion 28 of the stream shaping means, and the inner wall of nozzle barrel 12. Multiple functions are performed by the vanes. As will be described in greater detail later, the vanes serve to hold the tubular body 28 of the stream shaping means in place within the nozzle barrel 12, to guide the movement of neck 57, to limit the travel of head member 27, to retain spring 64 in position, and to impart a controlled rotational motion to the water stream as it traverses the nozzle. The inner, downstream ends of both vanes 153 and 155 terminate in a rectangular projection 170 that extends perpendicularly from shoulder 171 and has a protruding ear 172. Projection 170 fits through a slot cut in tubular member 28 (see Figure 5) with shoulder 171 resting on the external tube surface, and protruding ear 172 contacting the inner tube surface. Ledge 174 of vane 153, at the downstream end of projection 170 below ear 172, acts as a stop for spring follower block 157, while the inner surface 173 of projection 170 serves as a guide for neck 57. The outer, upstream end of vane 153 is in the form of an L-shaped tab having an outer face 176 which, when assembled, rests in a contacting relationship along the inner surface of nozzle barrel 12. A tab leg 177 projects outwardly from tab face 176 to fit within one of the slots 179 of boss 151, and to be held in place within the slot by the end of barrel 12. As has been previously described, the inner, downstream end of vanes 155 are similar in conformation to vanes 153 but serve a somewhat different function. Upstream face 181 of rectangular projection 170 provides a stay for spring stop block 183 (Figure 5), while the outer, upstream end of the vane is configured so that the outer face 185 rests along the inner surface of barrel 12. Both vanes 153 and 155 are aligned in a strictly parallel relationship to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle instead cf being set at a small angle 39 as are the vanes of the Figure 1 embodiment. Yet, vanes 153 and 155 act upon the fluid stream passing through the nozzle to impart a twist or rotation to the fluid. A rotational force is generated by shaping one side of each vane in a fashion such that the fluid pressure on one side of the vane is less than that on the other side. In short, each vane is configured to function much as does the air foil surface of an aircraft wing or other lift body. Both upstream vanes 153 and downstream vanes 155 are arranged in a forward-raked attitude; opposite to the vane attitude of the Figure 1 embodiment. That is, vane 153 is arranged such that its tab leg 177 is upstream from its inner shoulder 171 and ear 172. Likewise, vane 155 is arranged such that its outer face 185 is upstream from its inner shoulder and ear. The degree of raking, as defined by angle 180 measured between a downstream vane edge and the nozzle wall, may vary from about 10° to 60°, but most preferably is set between 10° and 30°. It is necessary that all of the vanes in each set have the same degree of rake, and it is preferred that all vanes in both sets have the same rake. The forward-raked attitude of the vanes has been found to enhance control over the rotational forces imparted to the fluid stream passing through the nozzle, and hence constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention. In practice, suitable rotational forces can be applied to the fluid by milling one vane side in a fashion such that the vane thickness decreases slightly, upstream to downstream, over much of the vane area contacting the fluid. As shown in Figure 6, the fluid contacting surface of vane 153, between points 188 and 189 on the upstream edge and points 191 and 192 on the downstream edge, is shaped such that edge 191-192 is modestly thinner than is edge 188-189. The extent of thinning, from point 188 to point 191 and from point 189 to point 192, may be conveniently expressed in mathematical terms as a negative slope. In general, it has been found that a slope in the range of about -0.01 to -0.05 is sufficient to impart the desired degree of rotation to fluid passing through the nozzle. The thinning of the fluid contacting surface may conveniently be uniform, upstream to downstream. That is, a line drawn between points 188 and 191 would be of uniform slope. Performance of the nozzle appears to be enhanced if there is also provided an inboard (toward the center) deflection to the fluid contacting surface. In other words, a line drawn between points 188 and 191 would show a small inboard deflection in addition to the thinning. The angle of deflection usefully may range from about 1° to about 10°. It is preferred that the fluid contacting surface of downstream vanes 155, bounded by points 191, 192, 193 and 194 (Figure 7), conforms in slope and deflection angle to that of the upstream vanes 153. In this way, uniform rotational forces are applied to the fluid stream. Reference is now made to the nozzle boss 151 that is detailed in Figures 8, 9 and 10. A plurality of inclined holes 201 are drilled from outer boss face 165 to inner boss face 203 forming cylindrical channels 205 communicating between the atmosphere and the interior of the nozzle. During use of the nozzle, water under pressure flows past head member 27 and through annular fluid channel 34. The conical taper of head member 27 directs the water outwardly to the inner surface of nozzle body 12 that, in turn, creates a reduced pressure zone downstream of head member 27, and adjacent the surface of neck 57 and body member 28. Air is sucked into the nozzle through channels 205, and forces its way through the outwardly directed layer of water issuing from fluid channel 34 to reach the reduced pressure zone. In so doing, the water becomes super saturated with gas. The force of flowing water under pressure on head member 27 also compresses spring 64 between the spring follower block 157 and spring stop block 183. As a consequence, the area of annular fluid channel 34 increases thus adjusting the flow characteristics of the nozzle to the supplied water pressure. Referring now to Figure 11 in association with Figures 1 and 5, air or other gas is aspirated into the nozzle of Figure 1 by way of primary ports 41, that are spaced around the periphery of head member 14, to enter the nozzle interior at or adjacent first shoulder 19. Additional air may be aspirated into the nozzle further downstream through a set of secondary ports 43 positioned at or adjacent second shoulder 21. In similar fashion, air is sucked into the nozzle of Figure 5 through channels 205 entering the nozzle interior just downstream of the base 30 of head member 27. A liquid stream, that may be water from a water main or pump, or water mixed with a foam concentrate, is supplied to the nozzle, and flows in the path indicated by the double headed arrows 45. As the water passes through channel 34, its velocity is increased because of the constricted area defined by the channel as compared to the area of upstream passage 17. The liquid flow is also directed to the inside wall of nozzle housing 12 by acting against the surface of head member 27 and, in passing shoulder 19, creates a reduced pressure zone, or partial vacuum, just downstream of base 30, and adjacent the surface of the cylindrical body portion 28 of stream shaping means 25. In order to reach that zone of reduced pressure, air flows in a pattern depicted by the single headed arrows 47, crossing through that layer of liquid flowing through fluid channel 34 to the inside surface of housing 12. In so doing, intense mixing of the air and liquid occurs, and the liquid becomes supersaturated in gas. If the liquid comprises a mixture of water and foam concentrate, the mixing produces a dense foam. The provision of secondary ports 43, in the Figure 1 embodiment, in association with second shoulder 21, results in the creation of another zone of reduced pressure, or partial vacuum, just downstream of shoulder 21. Air entering through secondary ports 43 again has to pass through a layer of flowing liquid in the path depicted by arrows 49 resulting in further intense mixing of the air and liquid. The air and liquid streams tend to form a columnar arrangement as the streams progress through the nozzle body, with the liquid forming a ring or wall surrounding an air core. A twist or spin is imparted to both the liquid and the gas streams as they pass first the forward set of vanes 36, and then the rearward set of vanes 38 of the Figure 1 nozzle. A similar twist or spin is imparted to the fluid in the nozzle of Figure 5 by the action of upstream vanes 153 and downstream vanes 155. Referring now to Figure 12 as well, the columnar stream of liquid and gas 51 leaving the nozzle tends to further reduce in diameter for a considerable distance, typically some 2 to 7 m beyond the nozzle end, to point 52. Thereafter, columnar stream 51 tends to gradually enlarge in diameter. All the while, stream 51 is rotating in the manner shown by arrows 54 as is clearly evident through observation using high speed photography. As the stream 51 impacts upon a surface, the gas core within the liquid column must again interact with the liquid layer, resulting in a much more "active" water or foam impact than is produced by conventional nozzles. The twisting, or rifling, effect imparted to stream 51 by its passage through the nozzle 10 also results in a throw distance considerably greater than that obtainable using conventional air aspirating nozzles. Turning now to Figures 13, 14 and 15, there is shown generally at 70 means for introducing and controlling a flow of material into the nozzles of this invention. The introduced material may be a liquid—a foam concentrate for example—or it may be a particulate solid such as a fire extinguishing agent. Introduction means 70 includes a main flow control valve 72 having a barrel member 74 attached thereto at its forward, or downstream, end. Barrel member 74 terminates with a threaded section 75 adapted for connection to the threaded connector portion 15 of head member 14 of Figure 1 in the manner depicted in Figures 14 and 15. In similar fashion, barrel member 74 may be connected to the nozzle of Figure 5 through a speed nut or other connector. Valve 72 may comprise a standard, multi-position, slide valve or ball valve having a control handle 76 and hand grip 77 of the type conventionally used in fire fighting. It is attached through connector 80 to a fire hose 81, or other conduit means, suitable for supplying a stream of water, or water mixed with a foam concentrate, to valve 72, and thence to the nozzle 10. Associated with flow control valve 72 is an auxiliary control valve 83 having a control handle 84. It is preferred that auxiliary valve 83 be mounted atop pedestal 86 that in turn is fixed to the top of valve 72 in a spatial relationship such that handles 76 and 84 of valves 72 and 83 can be operated over their full range without interference one with the other. That configuration also allows convenient one- handed control of the two valves by the operator. A stream of liquid, or of particulate solids, is delivered to auxiliary valve 83 by way of conduit 88 that is coupled to valve 83 through connector means 89. A discharge conduit 91 is coupled to the downstream end of auxiliary valve 83 through connector means 92. Conduit 91, in turn, is connected through flange 94 to injector tube 95. Injector tube 95 is of much smaller diameter than is barrel member 74, passes through the wall of that member at an oblique angle 97 to its axis, and terminates within the bore of barrel member 74. The discharge end 96 of injector tube 95 is preferably configured as a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of member 74. Figure 14 depicts an adaptation of Figure 13 means for the introduction of a liquid to a flowing water steam. In this embodiment, injector tube 95 is preferably arranged such that the opening in discharge end 96 is aligned on the axis of barrel member 74, which axis is common to that of nozzle 10 when the two are assembled. Liquid discharged from injector tube 95 is centered on tip 29 and is dispersed into an accelerating water stream passing around head member 27 thus providing a rapid and thorough dispersion of the added liquid into the flowing water. In fire fighting applications, introduction of a foam concentrate or liquid extinguishing agent through injector tube 95 provides considerable advantage as compared to conventional techniques. A foam concentrate would ordinarily be added to the water supplied to a nozzle by use of an eductor or metering pump at a location upstream and remote from the nozzle. Control of the foam flow then would be separate from control of the nozzle. In contrast, the instant invention gives total control of foam use to the fireman operating the nozzle. A somewhat different configuration is preferred in those embodiments wherein particulate solids are introduced into a flowing water (or other liquid) stream and that adaptation is illustrated in Figure 15. In this embodiment, the end 96 of injector tube 95 is again on a plane perpendicular to the axis of barrel 74 but preferably terminates at a point just through the barrel wall. The particulate solids may conveniently be introduced through injector tube 95 as a dense suspension in a carrier gas. For example, a dry chemical fire extinguishing agent may be supplied to the injector and nozzle means, using a conventional gas-pressured dry chemical extinguisher as the source, by coupling the discharge hose of the extinguisher to conduit 88. As has been alluded to earlier, the particulate solids introduced into a flowing stream of liquid through use of the accessory means of Figures 13, 14 and 15 are not restricted to fire extinguishing agents or foam forming materials. Rather, those particulate solids may be abrasive materials that, when carried in a water stream propelled through nozzle 10, serve to effectively clean the surfaces of solids as, for example, the preparation of a steel surface for painting. In this application, that can be considered a form of sand blasting, it is preferred that a replaceable liner 99 be provided within the portion of barrel 74 and head member 14 that are subject to abrasive wear through impingement of particulates entering through injector tube 95. Liner 99 is fabricated from a hard, wear resistant material such as silicon carbide. It may also be advantageous to fabricate head member 27 of stream shaping means 25, and other wear prone areas of nozzle 10, from the same material as is used for liner 99. As has been set out before, injector tube 95 defines an oblique angle 97 with the axis of barrel member 74 as it passes through the barrel wall. The magnitude of angle 97 has a direct effect upon the performance of the injector means, and proper selection of that angle alleviates the problem of plugging associated with prior art attempts to inject dry fire extinguishing agents into a water stream within a nozzle. In general, for the embodiments both of Figure 14 and Figure 15, injector tube 95 is set in relation to the axis of barrel 74 such that angle 97 is in the range of 20° to 60°. The most efficient and trouble free injector performance has been obtained when angle 97 is set between 30° and 45°. When the injector tube is set at an angle within that range and water is allowed to flow through injector means 70 and nozzle 10 at hydrant pressure, there is created a negative pressure or suction at valve 83 of one-half bar or even more. Turning again to the embodiment of Figure 13, employing a liquid foam concentrate for fire fighting, the concentrate is introduced into the system through auxiliary valve 83. In that event, a liquid concentrate may be supplied to valve 83 through conduit 88 by gravity feed or from a pressurized source vessel or pump. However, a preferred technique for providing a liquid foam concentrate or fire extinguishing solution to auxiliary valve 83 utilizes the liquid supply system 110 shown in Figure 16. System 110, shown in cross-section, comprises an open- topped container 112 of regular shape and having rigid walls. Container 112 is adapted for insertion of a flexible bag 114 filled with a liquid foam concentrate or fire extinguishing composition 115. Bag 114 conforms in size and shape to the interior of container 112 and may be fabricated from a film of a flexible plastic such as polypropylene or the like. A fluid exit means comprising a conduit member 117 extends upwardly through the bottom 118 of container 112, and terminates in a sharpened, piercing point 119. Conduit member 117 is held in place and sealed to the bottom 118 by means of flange 120. It connects to conduit 88 through attachment means 122. Disposed atop liquid filled bag 114 is follower slide 125 which is sized for a sliding fit within container 112. A seal between the edge of slide 125 and the interior wall of container 112 is provided by one or more 0-rings 126. Lid 128 covers the top of container 112 and is provided with one or more vent holes 129 which ensure that atmospheric pressure bears against the top of slide 125. A chain or other connecting means 131 attaches slide 125 to lid 128 so that the slide may easily be retrieved from a position at or near the bottom of container 112. Liquid supply system 110 may be configured as a back pack for a fireman or may be carried on a cart or other conveyance. When system 110 is configured as a back pack, the container 112 is sized such that it can conveniently be carried yet contain enough foam concentrate or extinguishing agent to provide at least several minutes of supply when fighting a fire. In that mode, connector means 89, attaching conduit 88 to valve 83, are preferably of the quick disconnect type so that a back pack containing a new supply of foam or extinguishing agent can quickly be exchanged for an exhausted one. The nozzles of this invention have been tested in comparison to conventional fire fighting nozzles in controlled, block house burn tests. Such tests are conducted by placing a standard quantity of combustible material in an enclosure (usually built of concrete), igniting the combustibles, and allowing the fire to develop. Thereafter, the fire is extinguished using the nozzle system under test. The effectiveness of each nozzle is judged by measuring the length of time required to first knock down and then extinguish the fire and by measuring the amount of water applied to the fire to obtain extinguishment. There has been observed a totally unexpected enhancement in the fire extinguishing capabilities of water when delivered to a fire through the nozzle of this invention, as compared to the same quantity of water delivered by conventional fire fighting nozzles. In certain of those tests, the nozzle of this invention extinguished a block house fire in less than half the time using less than one fifth the water required by conventional nozzles. Water was supplied at the same pressure, from the same source, through the same hose for the comparative tests; only the nozzles were changed. Further exploration of this phenomenon determined that the inventive nozzle produced an extremely high level of gas supersaturation in the water projected from the nozzle. Water landing in an impact area literally appeared to boil, much like the effect one sees from a spilled carbonated beverage. In further testing, a nozzle stream was directed into the bung of a closed drum which had previously been cleaned and flushed with air. Gas separated from the fluid stream entering the drum issued from another port. That gas was tested and it did not support combustion. Conventional nozzles did not produce that effect. Based upon all of these data and observations, it was concluded that operation of the nozzle created a very high level of nitrogen supersaturation by forcing air through a relatively high pressure curtain of water. It is believed that nitrogen preferentially goes into solution under conditions occurring in the nozzle, or that oxygen tends to preferentially escape from solution, or both. There are disclosures in the literature that recognize incidents of nitrogen supersaturation resulting from agitated contact of water with air. For example, persistence of high levels of nitrogen supersaturation in the tailrace downstream of dams is a well documented phenomenon. Levels of nitrogen as high as 145% of saturation have been routinely recorded in the tailrace waters of the John Day Dam on the Columbia river. As may now be more fully appreciated, the means and methods of this invention, as set out in the disclosure, provide enhanced nozzle performance and other advantages not present in prior art devices and techniques. It will also be recognized by those skilled in this art that numerous modifications of the devices and techniques that have been described can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims: I claim: 1. An aspirating nozzle, comprising: a nozzle body having an upstream end and a downstream end and a wall defining a generally cylindrical fluid passage between said ends, said fluid passage having a first zone of reduced cross sectional area at the upstream end, a second zone of enlarged cross sectional area downstream of said first zone, and a transition zone between said first and second zones; a central stream shaping means positioned axially within said fluid passage, said stream shaping means having a head portion and a body portion, the head portion of said means being larger than the body portion but smaller than said first zone and extending into that zone to define an annular space of varying dimension between the stream shaping means and the inner surface of said nozzle wall and a constricted passage between said first and second zones, the body portion of said means extending beyond the downstream end of said transition zone; a plurality of vanes extending between the body portion of said stream shaping means and said nozzle body wall, said vanes acting to hold said body portion fixed relative to said nozzle body; and port means adjacent said transition zone adapted for drawing a stream of ambient air into said fluid passage downstream of said stream shaping means head portion when a liquid is flowing through said passage. 2. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein said vanes are arranged in at least two sets, .one set being downstream of the other set, all of the vanes being configured to impart a controlled rotational motion to fluid passing through the nozzle. 3. The nozzle of claim 2 wherein the configuration of said vanes is arranged to impart one full revolution to a fluid column expelled from the nozzle end for every 10 to 50 nozzle diameters. 4. The nozzle of claim 1 wherein the body portion of said stream shaping means is cylindrical, and the head portion of said stream shaping means is configured as a cone having an apex and a base, the apex angle of said cone being less than 75°, and the cone base being positioned adjacent said transition zone. 5. The nozzle of claim 4 wherein the diameter of said body portion is between 60% and 90% that of the diameter of said head portion base, and wherein said cone apex angle is less than 30°. 6. The nozzle of claim 4 including spring means disposed within the body portion of said stream shaping means, and arranged to allow said head portion to move axially, relative to said body portion, in a downstream direction as fluid flow within the nozzle is increased. 7. The nozzle of claim 1 including flow control means disposed upstream of said stream shaping means, said flow control means comprising: a main valve for controlling the flow of liquid to said nozzle; an elongated, cylindrical housing defining a fluid passage between said main valve and the upstream nozzle end; an auxiliary valve having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end adapted for connection to a source of liquid or particulate solids; and an injector tube communicating between the downstream end of said auxiliary valve and the housing interior. 8. The nozzle of claim 7 wherein said injector tube passes through the housing wall at an oblique angle, and the discharge end of said tube terminates within the housing as a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. 9. The nozzle of claim 7 wherein said auxiliary valve is mounted atop said main valve and wherein a control handle for each valve is positioned for operation over its full range without interference with the other while allowing for simultaneous one-handed control of both valves by an operator. 10. The nozzle of claim 7 including means for supplying a liquid fire control agent to said auxiliary valve, said supply means comprising a container of regular shape and having rigid walls; a flexible bag for the containment of a liquid fire control agent disposed within said container; piercing means disposed at the bottom of said container, said piercing means adapted to penetrate through the wall of said flexible bag and to provide liquid communication between the interior of said bag and the exterior of the container; and conduit means communicating between said piercing means and the upstream end of said auxiliary valve. 11. A method for producing a gas-aspirated liquid comprising: passing said liquid through a nozzle, the cross- sectional area of said nozzle increasing in a stepwise fashion as the liquid progress through the nozzle; directing the liquid to the inner nozzle wall as it passes a point whereat the nozzle cross-sectional area increases to thereby form a liquid layer flowing along the inner nozzle wall, and a zone of reduced pressure in the nozzle interior; aspirating gas from outside of the nozzle, through said liquid layer, and into said zone of reduced pressure by way of ports located in the nozzle wall at that point whereat the cross-sectional area increases; imparting a rotation to the liquid and gas as the streams progress down the nozzle; and discharging a coherent, columnar stream of liquid and gas from the nozzle. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the liquid is water; wherein the gas is air; wherein air passing through the water layer within the nozzle supersaturates the water with nitrogen, and wherein the resulting fluid stream is directed onto a fire.

Inventors: KAYLOR JOSEPH B, KAYLOR, JOSEPH, B.
Applicants: VALKYRIE SCIENT PTY LTD, VALKYRIE SCIENTIFIC PROPRIETARY, L.C.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B05B1
IPC codes: A62C31, B05B7